Typhoid fever, Paratyphoid fever

Typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever: acute infectious diseases

Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are acute infectious diseases that affect the human small intestine and are accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid fever include weakness, malaise, headache, fever, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

The causative agents of typhoid and paratyphoid fever are bacteria that are relatively resistant to the environment and to disinfectants. These bacteria can remain viable in water and soil for up to 2 weeks, on fruits and vegetables for 5-10 days, in oil and meat for up to 1-3 months. They can also withstand heating up to 50°C for an hour, but die when boiled.

Infection with typhoid and paratyphoid bacteria occurs from a sick person, as well as from a carrier of the infection, who may be invisible. Pathogens are released into the environment with the feces and urine of a patient or bacteria carrier, and can enter the body of a healthy person by drinking contaminated water or accidentally ingesting it while swimming. Milk, vegetables, fruits, bread, etc. contaminated with the pathogen. can be the cause of single or group diseases of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever.

The spread of the disease is facilitated by flies, which carry stool particles containing the pathogen on their legs. Having penetrated the human body through the mouth, the pathogens penetrate the lymph and nodes of the small intestine, where they multiply. Then they enter the blood, where some of them die, releasing a toxic substance - endotoxin, which has a toxic effect on the body, especially on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

The incubation period of typhoid and paratyphoid fever lasts from 3 to 21 days (usually 10-14 days). The disease begins gradually with general malaise, a feeling of weakness throughout the body, deterioration of sleep and appetite, and decreased ability to work. Body temperature rises stepwise and reaches 39-40°C by the 4-6th day of illness. Intoxication of the body, caused by the action of endotoxin, develops: weakness increases, indifference to everything around appears, headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased blood pressure.

For typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, it is very important to consult a doctor promptly and begin treatment. To diagnose the disease, laboratory methods are used to test blood, urine and feces for the presence of the pathogen. Treatment of typhoid and paratyphoid fever includes the use of antibiotics, rehydration therapy (replenishment of fluid and electrolyte losses), and symptomatic treatment.

In order to prevent typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, clean up after yourself at the table, wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet, use only high-quality drinking water, carefully process vegetables and fruits before consumption, do not eat food on the street, do not use general hygiene items (towels, soap, etc.). You should also avoid contact with patients with typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, and when traveling to countries with a high epidemic risk, it is recommended to be vaccinated against these diseases.